Wilton lawmaker explores future of single-stream recycling

Published 6:46 am, Friday, March 22, 2013

Hour Photo/Alex von Kleydorff. Walt Ziem makes use of the Town of Wiltons Recycle containers at the Transfer Station on Thursday

Hour Photo/Alex von Kleydorff. Walt Ziem makes use of the Town of Wiltons Recycle containers at the Transfer Station on Thursday

Wilton lawmaker explores future of single-stream recycling

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WILTON — Following a tour of a Hartford waste center last week, state Rep. Tom O’Dea says he is interested in speaking with Wilton and New Canaan town administrators about the benefits and economics of single-stream recycling.

O’Dea toured the facilities of All Waste, Inc., one of the largest privately owned solid waste and recycling companies in Connecticut.

The advanced technology at the plant appeared convenient for customers, but the costs of its implementation in Wilton and New Canaan needs to be reviewed, he said.

“From the conceptual standpoint, I like the idea,” said O’Dea, R-125.

Single-stream recycling allows for plastics, paper, glass and other recyclables to be mixed together without the need for separation.

According to O’Dea, the system makes it easier for residents to participate and incorporates more materials than current recycling programs.

The Town of Wilton has a contract with the Stamford-based company City Carting & Recycling. The business offers single-stream recycling, but Wilton officials are waiting to see how well it works with other towns before considering the process, according to Jennifer Fascitelli, the Wilton Public Works Department’s program coordinator.

“I don’t think we’re opposed to it,” said Fascitelli in the Wilton Public Works office Thursday, adding that the possibility comes down to cost.

Fascitelli estimated the town processes 1,200 tons of recyclables each year. The recyclables generate about $15,000 in revenues, she said.

The town is expected to negotiate new contracts with City Carting next month. During the discussions, public works officials will re-examine the company’s single-stream recycling system, Fascitelli said.

The town’s public works director, Thomas Thurkettle, said on Thursday that there are few complaints from locals about Wilton’s current recycling system.

Residents have the option of having their recyclables picked up by the town’s collectors, who bring the waste to the transfer station. Locals can also bring their recyclables to the transfer station themselves.

“It’s a very user-friendly place,” said Thurkettle.

Westport officials reported last April that recycling in town jumped 167 percent after implementing single-stream recycling. The change resulted in $220,000 in annual savings to the town.

Since 1990, the Town of Wilton has allowed residents to place their recyclables in blue bins to be sent to the transfer station, Fascitelli said. Nearly 23 years later, it is still a challenge to teach people what belongs in recycling and garbage bins, she said.

Homeowners complained two years ago of witnessing waste collectors dumping their recyclables in the garbage.

To investigate the residents’ concerns, Fascitelli asked the collectors to take photos of what was inside the recycling bins they picked up.

Fascitelli estimated 75 percent of the photos taken showed recycling bins filled with waste that should have been thrown in the garbage.

Even with single-stream recycling, there will still be products that need to be separated from recyclables, such as medical waste, Fascitelli said.